The German government sought to distance itself from German newspaper Die Welt’s article on the Greek government.
Die Welt published an article over the weekend that described Greece as a “rudderless ship” arguing that the Greek government is delaying the application of the bailout prescription.
The article prompted the Greek government to issue a response that spoke out against “misinformation” by Greece’s enemies. The Greek government’s response does not directly refer to Die Welt but to “provocative German press articles”.
“Once again, the unrepentant and obsessive enemies of Greece are misinforming and speculating,” said an usually strong-worded statement from the prime minister’s office.
“Against their wishes, which they call predictions, [Greece] is fulfilling its commitments,” said the statement adding that the recapitalization of Greek banks has been “successfully completed.” The report suggests there are concerns the first review of the current Greek progam could be delayed until the summer.
“They expected that they would bring back through the backdoor what they failed to achieve in July,” the statement continued in a reference to a proposal for Greece to have a “time out” from the eurozone in the summer.
“They failed, and they will continue to fail. Whether they like it or not, they will have to get used to the idea that the Greek people have elected a government which is not to their liking,” the statement said.
“Greece is no longer isolated in Europe,” the statement said, noting that the threat of haircuts to bank deposits or a Grexit have now disappeared.
The German Embassy in Athens officially addressed Die Welt’s allegations, noting that the German government as well as the German embassy in Athens does not comment on media articles that include “hypothetical internal correspondence”.
The German government’s Steffen Seibert noted on Monday that although the report had not come to his attention, Greece does have a government and Germany negotiates with them when there is something that needs to be addressed.
The reply further notes that the German Vice-Chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier had applauded the Greek government’s effort to deal with the various problems the country is facing, during his recent visit to Athens.
